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I have a 1998 Coupe that does not have factory installed keyless entry, but it does have an alarm. The alarm is turned on when you lock the doors and close them. The alarm sounds if you unlock the passenger door with the key (very annoying) but disarms if you unlock the driver's door. If the windows are down and you unlock the doors from the inside and open it, the alarm will sound. The only way to disarm it that I know of is unlocking the door with the key.
I would like to install a keyless entry and alarm system the way the factory would have done it. Is this something that can be done?
Interesting, I also have a 1998 vert, I did not know that they came without the keyless entry. Do you mean you don't have the FOB or remote to open the doors?
I took the VIN number to the dealer and he said this car did not come with it from the factory. I wanted to replace the key fob but it isn't possible for this car. I also was not aware that it was an option.
Wow that is good news! I'll go visit a different dealer and see what I can dig up. They can replace a key fob for me from the VIN number right? Similar to how some (or all) cars can replace keys from the VIN.
I think your dealer is wrong. All the C5's came with the keyless remote from day one of the C5. Keyless remotes were never an option, rather they were standard equipment. Since you are not likely the cars original owner I'm sure that the two remote FOB's that came with the car have gotten lost along the way to your purchase.
I agree. Also, I thought the keyless entry system was integrated to the tire pressure monitoring system?
Anyways.. Personally I would say pick up a cheap remote off eBay or something and try to program it. Just make sure it's the correct one. Usually this is done by looking at the numbers on the back of your current remote but obviously that won't be possible.
So, perhaps someone else has some advice on what remote he could buy? I wonder if you could find one that was returnable just in case?
Joltfire,
The remote fobs that came with the 97-99 cars had a little switch on them that allowed the owner to select passive operation or active operation. In the passive position the fob would communicate with the car and lock it when you walked away from the car and unlock it when you locked toward it. This was a problem sometimes. I had to turn the passive mode off on my 97 fobs as they were stored on a hook in a closet less than 20 ft away from the car. The first few days the car would sit in the garage honking its horn until I found out the fobs were not far enough away from the car. In the active mode the operator has to push the switch on the fob to open or close the car. In 2000 they went to an active only fob because the passive mode was driving people crazy.
When you visit Gene Culley's GM Parts House web site you should take some time and download a copy of the Owner's Manual for your car.
By the way, when your car was first delivered it had two fobs, two PASS keys and one key with no pill on it. That key could not start the car but it would open the door. It came in a plastic credit card sized sleeve and could be carried in your wallet. That way if the car locked your fob inside you could get into the car.